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River Club Plaza takes shape

EAST COUNTY — The developer for River Club Plaza, a 245-acre project at the southeast intersection of State Road 70 and Interstate 75, expects the project to be fully leased by this summer.

“This is a neighborhood center with a mix of service uses,” said Casto’s John Hutchens, asset manager for the project. “When you have a great location, with visibility from major roadways and combine that with a Walmart, you have a great draw for other retailers.”

Home to a Walmart Supercenter since April, the project, which runs parallel to I-75 and extends south to Linger Lodge Road and east toward the Braden Woods community, recently added Texas Roadhouse to its list of tenants.

The restaurant will occupy one of five stand-alone buildings, said Hutchens.

Based in Louisville, Ky., the chain, known for steaks, chicken, ribs and more, signed a lease for the 2.62-acre site in early March, and construction is well under way with an opening slated for May.

It will join Tire Choice and Hungry Howie’s Pizza, which is expected to open in its new location next month, as occupied stand-alone buildings.

Two standalone buildings remain vacant.

“The development of River Club Plaza is evidence of Manatee County’s growth demands, particularly within the Lakewood Ranch community,” said Garrett Williams, vice president for the SRS Real Estate Partners’ Tampa office, which represented Texas Roadhouse in the deal.

With the project 70% leased, Casto, the plaza’s developer, has received commitments from Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse, Hair Cuttery, GNC, Mattress One, Cutting Loose, Leslie’s Pool and Art Nail & Spa. Each of those businesses will occupy the inline portion of the plaza.

Leslie’s Pool, a swimming pool supply chain, will open in early 2014, Hutchens said.